Biogen, Eisai in Alzheimer's pact

Biogen Idec and Tokyo-based Eisai announced today that they will collaborate and commercialize two of Eisai's clinical candidates for Alzheimer's disease (AD), E2609 and BAN2401. E2609 has completed Phase-I trials. BAN2401 is now recruiting for Phase II.

The agreement also includes an option to jointly develop and commercialize two of Biogen Idec's candiates for Alzheimer's, anti-amyloid beta antibody BIIB037, currently in Phase I, and an anti-tau monoclonal antibody.

Biogen CEO George Scangos stated, "Eisai's candidates have demonstrated compelling early data and complement our AD research while extending our pipeline in this critical area."

Eisai will act as the operational and regulatory lead for both E2609 and BAN2401, and as its role suggests, will pursue marketing authorization for both compounds.

The companies will share costs, including R&D expenses, and Eisai retains all potential sales for E2609 and BAN2401, but profits will be split between the two. In the US and EU, Eisai and Biogen will co-promote the products, if approved.

Biogen will provide Eisai with an up-front payment, as well as development, approval and commercial milestone payments.